Can I Paint The Inside Of My Fireplace

There’s nothing like the sight of a burning fireplace to add some coziness to those cold, winter nights.

But if you’re looking to warm up the room more, one of the best solutions is to paint the fireplace. Not only does this boost the contrast of the flames against the background, but it also makes your fireplace look a whole lot more elegant.

You can definitely paint the inside of your fireplace. This is is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give the whole room a fresh new look. However, the process requires you to take certain considerations into account. Most importantly, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the interior walls of the fireplace to prepare its surface for painting.

Not to mention, you’ll have to choose a type of paint that’s not just compatible with the material of the fireplace, but that’s also capable of enduring high temperatures while being non-toxic.

In today’s article, you’re getting a step-by-step guide on how to paint the inside of a fireplace as well as an explanation of how to pick the most suitable paint type and color for your fireplace. So, keep reading if you’re looking for a more detailed answer.

How to Choose Paint for the Interior of a Fireplace

Table of Contents

When choosing paint for your fireplace, you should consider the material of the surface and the color.

Material

If your fireplace is wood-burning, chances are it’s made either of brick or metal. Here’s what to keep in mind in these cases:

Brick — this is one of the most common materials used in making fireplaces because it’s highly resistant to heat and easy to work with. For brick fireplaces, you want a paint that’s able to do two things: cover creosote and soot stains as well as endure high temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Metal — less popular than brick but still worth mentioning is metal fireplaces. Unfortunately, these are more challenging to paint compared to brick fireboxes because average paint has a harder time sticking to metal surfaces.

As such, not only do metal fireplaces require heat-resistant paint, but also one that’s particularly formulated to latch onto metal surfaces. An excellent example to use here is stove paint, which doesn’t need any special tools to apply. Be careful not to use too much of it though, otherwise, you’ll end up with a glossy finish.

Besides wood-burning models, gas-burning fireplaces are also quite popular as they eliminate the need for covering creosote and soot stains. But since they can get very hot, they often require paint retouches to stay looking sharp.

Consequently, you should look for paint that’s designed to go on gas fireplaces since it’s usually easy to reapply and highly heat-resistant.

Color

Next, you should think about the color of the paint. This can drastically change up the appearance and vibe of the room, so you can’t just pick the first color you see and call it a day.

With minimal research, you’ll notice there are a lot of color options to choose from. While this can be tempting, your best bet for the interior is darker shades such as dark grey, navy blue, or black.

Why? Because these colors deliver the best results when it comes to highlighting the look of the flames. Think about it, an orange/yellow flame will pop out more against a dark background than a light one.

How to Paint the Inside of a Fireplace

Once you have the right type of paint in your preferred color, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. But before you start this step-by-step guide, you need to gather the following gear:

A face mask
A pair of rubber gloves
Some protective clothing
Cleaning supplies
A paintbrush

Don’t ignore wearing the items listed above as they’ll protect you from exposure to ashes, creosote, and soot that may be left behind in your chimney’s flue.

After you have all painting supplies and equipment ready, begin following the steps below:

Step 1 – Do a Thorough Clean-up

First things first, make sure your fireplace has cooled down completely before you proceed any further. After that, you should thoroughly clean the fireplace.

This is probably the most vital step in the process, and it starts with detaching the gate and removing all the burnt ashes. Then, vacuum any residing ash, creosote, or soot.

Finally, use a damp rag to wipe down the firebox then let it air dry.

Step 2 – Prepare the Surface

If you’re working on a brick fireplace, start by sanding it down using 100 – 220 grit sandpaper. Try the lower grit first then go higher as you need to smooth out the surface more.

Once you’re done, check the fireplace for any gaps or cracks. If found, be sure to fill them up with fireplace caulk.

Then, go back once again with the sandpaper to even out the filled sections of the fireplace.

Step 3 – Mix and Paint

Grab your paint and mix it according to the instructions on the label. If you want to lay down primer before the paint, choose a tint that closely matches your primary paint color.

Next, grab a paintbrush and get to work. The brush doesn’t have to be fancy or anything — a simple nylon brush will do just fine.

While painting, be sure to have a damp rag close by to immediately clean up drips. This will result in a more refined look.

Step 4 – Don’t Overdo and Let the Paint Dry Fully

As you paint, make sure you’re applying a coat that’s as thin as possible but enough to provide decent coverage. A too thick layer is likely to crack or flake off.

After you’re finished, let the fireplace fully dry before firing it up again.

Conclusion

There you have it, a detailed answer to the question: can I paint the inside of my fireplace?

The answer is yes, but you need to take certain considerations into account. For example, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the interior walls of the fireplace to prepare its surface for painting.